The plan all along was for Shayne Mullaney to start at point guard at some point this season for the Gophers women's basketball team.

But it took a teammate's illness to give her that opportunity in nonconference play.

Mullaney, a 5-foot-10 freshman, is now proving she's ready to run the team and be a scoring option alongside star sophomore guard Rachel Banham.

The Eden Prairie native had a career-best 18 points on 6-for-7 shooting from the field and 4-for-4 shooting from three-point range as Minnesota (9-3) beat Robert Morris 82-60 on Dec. 9. It was Mullaney's fifth straight start since replacing fellow freshman Mikayla Bailey, who was sidelined with mononucleosis before the Big Ten/ACC Challenge against Virginia on Nov. 29.

"She was playing 20 minutes off the bench, so it's been an easier transition for her to fit in with our starters," Gophers coach Pam Borton said. "(Mullaney) was passionate about this program and wanted to be here. She would run through a wall with the jersey on her chest.

"Shayne comes from a very successful AAU program. Those are the kind of kids who are going to flourish in situations like this. The sky is the limit. She's probably one of our most competitive players."

Mullaney, who averages 6.3 points and ranks second on the team in assists (3.2) and field-goal percentage (54.4), joined the Gophers after finishing as Eden Prairie High School's all-time leader with 1,462 points and 466 assists.

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Mullaney knew she had the ability to contribute as a freshman this season, but she was surprised to get the start after seven games.

She claimed to be nervous, but she had nine points and four assists in a 90-68 loss to Virginia.

"I think it's given me more confidence," she said. "(Borton) doesn't just give it to you. You have to work hard (to start) and have the ability to play as a freshman. I'm thankful to play a lot. It makes it more fun. It's been a blast so far."

Borton wants to stick with Mullaney in the starting lineup in the Big Ten, even when Bailey returns. Having one of the team's best ball handlers in the backcourt allows Banham to play her natural position, shooting guard. Last year's Big Ten freshman of the year is averaging 19.6 points a game.

"I think it works out well when I go to the point guard because Rachel is so good at scoring," Mullaney said. "That puts her in a good position when she's on the wing. She can shoot, drive and come off ball screens. We're playing well together."

Banham said Mullaney already looks comfortable with the plays and leading the Gophers in varied situations.

"She knows what's going on," Banham said.

Redshirt likely

Swedish freshman Amanda Zahui B. will be eligible to play after joining the team Dec. 25, but she is expected to redshirt this season, Borton said Wednesday, Dec. 19. Borton did not think the 6-foot-5 center would be ready to contribute after missing the first half of the season waiting to be cleared by the NCAA.